The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals

I don't remember much from when I was a wee puppy, but I lived in a home my first year and a half with my doggie sister and a human family. For some reason, it didn't work out and we ended up at the local SPCA. The letters ASPCA stand for The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. We were really scared at first not knowing where we were or what was going to happen, but the humans there were so nice!

The ASPCA gave us soapy warm baths, nutritious and delicious food, fresh clean water, and all kinds of doggie toys! Uhmm, okay, I admit that the baths were not my favorite thing, but it felt nice to be clean and flea / tick free! Someone called a veterinarian gave us check-ups and shots. We weren't very thrilled with the shots, but the kind doctor said they would help us stay healthy, so I guess it was okay. An Info-Pet microchip which contains an identification number was injected into me so if I ever get lost, I can be scanned and taken back to my home. The workers and many volunteers talked to us, played catch and chase with us, and hugged us.

We got to meet so many other doggies while we were there. They were looking for homes to live in, also. They came in all different colors, breeds, ages, and sizes. Some dogs were quiet (like me), and other dogs would loudly try to talk to the humans who came in by barking. I guess not all humans understand doggie bark language.

People frequently visited the doggie wing of the building. They would talk and look us all over. The lucky dogs would be taken out of their "rooms", adopted, and taken home with a new family. Some dogs came to live at the ASPCA for only a short time, while others were there a long time.

My sister found a new home fairly quickly. I hoped her new family would take me, too, but they said they just weren't able to care for two dogs. We gave one final sniff and sadly barked goodbye. I missed her terribly. :(

The next few weeks weren't so good for me. You see, I'm pretty tiny for a dog of my breed. In fact, now at 3 1/2 people still think I'm a puppy. I was what they called the "runt of the litter". I barely remember when I was first born, but I do remember some of siblings being much more strong and dominant than I was. My sister was about twice as big as me even though we were born at the same time. She used to protect me and give me confidence around the other doggies. Once she was gone, I felt so tiny and scared! The big, loud dogs frightened and intimidated me. I would just lie in my room whimpering softly. Even when the caring humans opened my door, I would back away quickly into the corner in caution and fear.

I was so fearful that one of the human workers at the ASPCA decided to take me to her house as a foster dog. She had another dog and several cats who I was afraid of at first, but got used to eventually. She lovingly took care of me and trained me to be a better doggie and to feel more comfortable around people and other animals.

Known already for his compassion for helping children by starting the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC) in 1875, Henry Burgh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Aminals or ASPCA in 1866 after he helped the "Declaration of the Rights of Animals" legislation pass in the state of New York. This law is the first which gave rights to the animals, limited what owners could do to their animals, and make cruelty to animals unlawful. Although Mr. Burgh began with horses and other livestock, he quickly spread to smaller livestock and domesticated pets.

The ASPCA is the largest humane society in the world! It's mission statement is "to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States." It has been given legal rights to investigate and arrest owners who have not kept safety and humane practices for their animals. The organization not only cares for animals and their owners, but also helps those at risk, and those who have been abused.

Resources for Pet Parents - a few of the ASPCA's priorities.
~ "The specially trained staff at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is on call round-the-clock."
~ "The ASPCA Animal Behavior Center offers free expert training and behavior advice."
~ "Our full-service, accredited Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital employs a dedicated staff of veterinarians ready to provide high-quality medical care."
~ "A fleet of ASPCA mobile spay/neuter clinics serves low-income communities throughout New York City."
~ "We offer pet loss support services for those who are grieving."

Animal Improvements Made by the ASPCA
~ The first veterinarian led animal hospital began in 1912 by the ASPCA encouraging health care for pets along with farmer's livestock.
~ Several new proceedures and operations took place throughout the 1900's that had previously been thought impossible on animals.
~ Vaccines cut down on the number of viral diseases in animals, also, improving pets and their families safety and lives.
~ Things that we consider commonplace today like canned food products and cat litter started to become popular in the mid-1900's allowing more people to care for dogs and cats.
~ Obedience training and identification licenses improved relations between pets and their owners encouraging more families to adopt a precious animal.

Okay, I'm back! (Lip smacking sounds!) Now where was I before I went to help the children eat their snack .... oh yeah, now I remember.

After five months of staying with my foster family, my foster mommy said I was ready to find a permanent home with a family. About the same time, my current family came to the ASPCA hoping to adopt a dog into their family. They previously had a terrier-poodle mixed dog that they had adopted years before from the same place. He had lived with them for over 15 years, but passed away due to old age a year before they met me.

I'll never forget it ~ my foster mommy brought me to the ASPCA building one Saturday morning. She didn't put me back in one of the rooms, but let me wander around the office area. She said she wanted me to meet some people. A family walked in with a mommy, daddy, and three excited children. My foster mommy greeted them as I quietly hid behind her desk. She took them to the kennel area where they met other dogs. (My foster mommy whispered to me that she wanted them to meet all the dogs so they would be sure they picked the best one for their family.)

A little later, she came back for me and told me we were going outside to the fenced play yard. The family was waiting for me there. The children started to call my name and one came running towards me. I got really scared and hid behind my foster mommy. Their mommy told them to stand patiently until I was ready. I decided to go over and give them each a sniff and allowed them to pet me. They smiled and giggled while they encouraged me to run around the play area. I started chasing one of the boys. Or was he chasing me? Maybe we were just running around in a circle! After playing a while, the mommy came over to me and plopped down on the grass to pet me. She said, "Angel, we would like you to join our family. Would you like to come home with us?" A home, oh yes! I want to have a family! Next thing I know I was sitting in their mini-van between two of the children on the way to their house.

"Something smells good! Whatcha cooking?"
Golden Retriever Apron by Joyful_Inspirations!
Browse more dogs aprons at Zazzle!

My new family stopped at a pet store on the way to their home to get me a new dog dish, bags of dog food, a leash and collar, and some new toys! Then they took me to their house. I stepped inside rather timidly at first, but after a few sniffs and a look around, decided I wanted to stay. They gave me a nice soft place to sleep on, and showed me where my new food and water bowls would be located beside the refrigerator.

I noticed that there were other bowls there already. I wondered, was there another dog in the house? Then they told me there was another family member for me to meet and started calling out "Sebastian!" I got excited to meet this new family member ... until ... I saw something black and furry walk into the room. "Watch out, it's a cat!" I barked out. They didn't seem alarmed or surprised, but I decided to stand guard anyway. He walked up to me, sniffed, rolled his eyes, then walked away. I wasn't so sure I was going to like him, but since they seemed to like him, I decided to try to be nice.

A few days after I arrived, I was taken to the veterinarian's office for a check-up and to be "spayed". I didn't know what that meant at first, but my human mommy explained to me that it was an operation to prevent me from having puppies. She was actually crying when she brought me, but said it would be best for me and the dog population. Spaying (or neutering for males) is required for adoption by the SPCA in order to keep the pet population from becoming too large. If it did, there may not be enough homes for all the puppies and kitty cats.

Now I've been living with my family for about three years. We've done so many things together! Since the children are homeschooled, I get to spend most of the day with them. I patiently wait beside them while they do their schoolwork. When they are done or on break, we like to go in the backyard to play catch or other games. I like to cuddle up next to them when they are watching TV or relaxing. I've met and played with their friends who come over frequently. I've traveled and went on vacation with them. I've even become friends and play with the feline with whom I live. And, since I like to go to their soccer and baseball games and walk around the park with mom, one of the teams made me their mascot and gave me a little soccer shirt to wear! So many fun things to do! I'm so glad I have a family to spend my time with!

Some of my buddies who have gone to the ASPCA have not had such a good story. Unfortunately, many of the animals had quite a bad life prior to coming to the shelter. Some were abused physically, not given proper health care and basic necessities, or not loved with companionship. When the ASPCA finds animals such as this, they do everything they can to restore their health, love them, and find them new homes. Do you know a home that can give one of my friends a loving environment to live in? If so, call the local chapter near you to adopt a sweet, furry friend. Or, if that is not possible, would you consider volunteering or donating supplies or money? :D

"Give a woof if you need help finishing off that birthday cake!"
says Angel in her Golden Retriever Greeting Card by Joyful Inspirations!
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